How do you react when someone you meet (a foreigner) doesn't speak English well ?

Question

A foreigner, a tourist, who would ask you something in english, but not with a "perfect" english ? are you bored of people living in UK who don't speak well the language ? Do you appreciate their efforts to speak your langage ?

For kennienco... let's say this person would be from a european country (EU)

I'm talking about a tourist who would visit UK ...

For Stella G the Grek : I'm not British, I'm not living in the United Kingdom. And I speak french, english and spanish... Try to not be that agressive when you answer to someone you don't know!Merci !

Answer 1

i'd help them and assist them on the grammar and suggest ways they can improve on their english. just as long as they say a few simple words, i can usually understand what they are saying. sometimes, when i'm in central london i have tourists, who don't speak perfect english, come up to me and asking me to take a photo of them and i oblige. as for people, such as those who come to settle down in britain from other countries, who don't speak it well, i do commend them for trying, and yes i appreciate people who make the effort, whilst not patronising or being nasty to people of other cultures. it goes to show they are willing to learn and are prepared to learn a language, just so they can become better and all-round communicators and learners. i know that for some english is difficult- but it's never impossible. with practice and persistent learning, anyone and everyone can speak and pronounce english extremely well

Answer 2

If a tourist came up to me and asked for directions or something I would do my very best to help them. That is the decent thing to do.

It's a bit different with people living permanently in the UK.

If someone has come to live here and is trying to learn English, then that is just fine and again I'd be as helpful as possible.

But I have to say I find it really annoying when people come to live in the UK, make no attempt to learn English or find out about our culture, yet still expect to get all the benefits (health, social security, freedom of speech) that they would not get in their home country.

But generally, I do appreciate people's efforts to learn English - and I'm told it's not a particularly easy language to learn.

Answer 3

Who told you that people want to speak perfect english? You ask people if they are bored of people living in the UK who don't speak well the language; obviously you are bothered. Well, let me give you a piece of friendly advice: if that is your belief, you better stay in UK forever! I am Greek and can speak English, French and Spanish in a proficient level. I do not believe many english people speak four languages and there definitely aren't many english tourists speaking my language when they come to Greece but they do expect to be respected and helped when in need, and they are in most cases. So get off your high horse and think twice! THEN GIVE US MORE DETAILS! YOU DO SOUND LIKE SOMEONE LIVING IN THE UK AND BEING FED UP WITH FOREIGNERS. I AM SORRY IF I HAVE OFFENDED YOU, AND IF YOU HAVE FACED THIS PROBLEM, I DO HOPE PEOPLE DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE THAT USUALLY!

Answer 4

I would appreciate that they are trying.
I would curse the British who go to the lands of those people, but do not know their languages, and expect them to talk to the British tourist in English even in their own lands.
British tourists, when in India; why do they not speak in Hindi.
You sitting in Britain do not know that Indians appreciate if some tourist makes an effort to speak any Indian language.
Uneducated British can not appreciate this.

Answer 5

I would treat them with respect as they are visitors. An English person may not speak the language of a country they visit to! If the person wants to live here I'd like to think they'd make an effort to learn the language to make it easier to communicate with each other. The same for English to learn other languages to be able to communicate. I think we should all try to make the effort for each other then maybe there wouldn't be so much ignorance.

Answer 6

Dont be offended when foreigners are trying to speak the english language... be patient and try to understand, be polite and friendly. youll never know one of this days you might be able to go places abroad....would you like to be treated the way you treated them??? will you find it easy if you are the one that needs help in a foreign place and you cannot speak the same language... how will you adjust to the situation or will they be the one to adjust for you?
as long as they are not committing any harm its alright, as long you respect people theres nothing to worry about. Try to be helpful and dont be judgemental. You might be needing their help
in the future. History repeats itself...when england is about to be occupied during the war it was the foreigners who extends their hand against the colonizers.
Lets make peace and not war, offer a hand and you shall be rewarded.

Answer 7

It doesn't bother me! I'm learning French and Spanish and I know a bit of German too, so I understand how hard it is for "foreigners" trying to speak the language. I speak Welsh fluently too and if someone wanted to practise Welsh I'd let them, what matters is that you try, I think it's only polite to speak the language of the country you're in or at least try to! But if a French/Spanish/German person spoke to me in their langauge I'd just try speak back to them to get some practice of my own anyway :-)

Answer 8

If someone can't speak English as well as you then don't hate them... instead think about how you would feel if you went to a foreign country and weren't able to speak the language fluently... as if that isn't bad enough people laugh at you and make fun of you because you can't speak their language...

Answer 9

If your talking about tourists then you can guarantee that English, possibly with the exception of Americans, make the worst tourists. They make little or no effort to speak the local language and are frequently loud and obnoxious.

Answer 10

I work close to the tourist areas in central London and have been asked, several times, for advice or directions. I try to be tolerant, patient and understanding.

I Have also been in the same situation - trying to get by with my basic German and Dutch - on the Continent. I am often pleasantly surprised by the kindness of strangers